ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Cardio vascular diseases (CVD) are considered a serious
and prompt growing health problem in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, since it is the
leading cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence
of dyslipidemia and related risk factors among Health Sciences students in Taif University,
KSA. Subjects/Methods: A sample of 80 students aged 17 - 26 years, were
selected randomly from the Health Sciences colleges, Taif University. Participants
were screened for blood lipid profile, obesity/overweight and related risk factors
through filling pretested food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements
and fasting blood samples were taken for determination of blood lipid profile,
namely total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), high
density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), triacylglycerol (TAG) and the ratio of TC/
HDL-c. Results: The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (TC ≥ 200 mg/dl), hypertriglyceridemia
(TAG ≥ 150 mg/dl), high LDL-c (≥130 mg/dl), low HDL-c (Conclusions: Lipid study showed that dyslipidemia is
very common and a significant health problem among university students of Taif
University.